The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-09-03
MADOIINE'S FATE.

CHAPTER III.

Unused To bearing any burden on
her mind, the mental strain Madeline
endured for the next few days had no
small effect ON her appearance.
Her face took pale anxious look,
the smile which had been so ready in
previous days, scarcely ever brighten
cd her eyes, and if Mr.. Clyde had not
been entirely occupied with other
thoughts, he must have noticed there
was something altogether wrong with
his daughter.
By dint OF careful watching she had
contrived TO steal 10 the mill. each
day. when the dusky shadows offered
her concealmen.; but she felt keenly
the risk, and the fall OF day twig
from the budding branches would set
her heart to beating with a hundred
nervous fears.
The stranger was much better; he
was able TO move his injured arm
freely. and healthful tinge had sup
planted the deathly pallor of his face.
The old haunted looking mill was a
wretched enough habitation, but 1t
was dr.. and the weather had been fine;
and In the early dawn, before any one
was as.ir. he had refreshed himself by
bathing in the stream, that ripplcd in
cessantly on the silence.
III feel like another man. he told
Madeline. when in the grey of the
evening she crept to his hiding place.
.You have been my guiding staff. No
human being ever owed another q
deeper debt Of gratitude than | dc
you."
The smile no word could bring e
her Inns in the comfort and safety OF
her home she gave now 10 this lonely
man. and then, almost Immediately, I
sigh followed.
"If I could feel YOU were secure, i
would be nothing" she replied with al
.instinctiye glance at the deep shadow
gathered between the crumblinl
beams. "But everybody is on the look
out for a prisoner. and | am always j
dread lest they should make thei
search here. II your reasons Tor con
ccalment are MS grave as you say, II
an unlucky chance that has set the tn
mour atloat concerning the runawa,
for at any moment, in searching 10
him. they may discover you"
He started, and an expression Q
haunted defiance came into his HAND
some eyes.
"Do they report the name OF tn
MANI he asked, looking strangely II
10 her face.
"Yes- Ronald Castleton.'
"Ihey are on the scent he mutteI
ed. suddenly clenching his hand.
am thankful that you warned me
s,ill more thankful that YOU ha,
helped me to regain strength TO
able to avoid them All, my lit
mill maid" he went on in gentl
tone. .knowing what YOU do OF Roma
castleton's story, would You ha'
shown him as much mercy hao
been here i'm my steady
"Had he been like you--yes.
ain what way like meg' he asked, B
soft powerful voice trembling WI
some intense feeling.
II can hardly explain. she answer
slowly. "If he had looked at mo WI
snch ateadfast true eyes IL such n
bile face belonged to him, and he ~
said Il am hunted down under a IA
Charge am suffering for sin ncs
committed would have taken
word before all that condemned nj
! should have seen his soul IN his ga
and have trusted its TRUTH
Madeline uttered these words drea
ily. her ever resting on his as thou
10 gain thought from his earnest
uregsion. She was sitting on q rou
iog. and throughout the interview
had atood at distance leaning agaii
the wall.
Now great light shot into his ey
and. stretching out his arms, he NOV
from the shadow and cast MINIS
down az her feet.
"My pure little maid" he murmu,'
taking her hands and covering tn
with Kisses. .w hen shall! be abic
tell you all your words have been
me-. DO you wonder II, in this y
Of trial, your faith in truth see
mora than human Yet loudo
trust me ~ love your